Relationship between aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index and carotid intima-media thickness in obese adolescents with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

There is increasing evidence for an association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in obese adolescents with NAFLD.

METHODS:

Seventy-six obese adolescents and 36 lean subjects were enrolled in this cross-sectional single-centre study. The obese subjects were divided into two subgroups based on the presence or absence of fatty liver with high transaminase levels (NAFLD group and non-NAFLD group). Fasting blood samples were assayed for transaminase, glucose, and insulin levels. Insulin resistance was calculated by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR).

RESULTS:

APRI values were higher in both obese groups (NAFLD and non-NAFLD) in comparison with the lean group. The NAFLD group had significantly higher APRI values than the non-NAFLD obese group and the lean group. Carotid IMT was higher in both obese groups (NAFLD and non-NAFLD) in comparison with the lean group. The NAFLD group had significantly higher measurements of carotid IMT than the non-NAFLD group and the lean group. APRI was positively correlated with most of the metabolic parameters (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR) and with carotid IMT in the NAFLD obese group.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study demonstrated that a significant relationship exists between APRI and carotid IMT in obese adolescents with NAFLD. We suggest that an increased APRI score in obese adolescents with NAFLD can possibly serve to predict a more adverse cardiovascular risk profile.

• Authors: Ahmet Sert, Ozgür Pirgon, Ebru Aypar, Hakan Yılmaz, Bumin Dündar
• Journal: Journal of clinical research in pediatric endocrinology (J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol) Vol. 5 Issue 3 Pg. 182-8 (Sep 10 2013) ISSN: 1308-5735 [Electronic] Turkey
• PMID: 24072087 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Insulin
• Cholesterol
• Aspartate Aminotransferases

Topics

• Adolescent
• Aspartate Aminotransferases (blood)
• Cardiovascular Diseases (etiology)
• Carotid Intima-Media Thickness
• Child
• Cholesterol (blood)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Fatty Liver (complications)
• Female
• Homeostasis
• Humans
• Insulin (blood)
• Insulin Resistance
• Liver (diagnostic imaging)
• Male
• Models, Biological
• Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
• Obesity (blood, diagnostic imaging)
• Platelet Count